Written Answers Nos. 604-621
604. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a set-aside scheme for eel fishermen who have been unable to fish for the past number of years due to the ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36907/14]
View answer605. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will take into account information and statistics showing eel and elver numbers in rivers, from sources outside Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, such as suitably qualified professionals, researchers and consultants who have been contracted by local fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36909/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 605 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the response to Question No. 486 of 27 May and number 358 of 10 June last which addressed comprehensively many of the issues raised in these questions.
The scientific advice for eels, which underpinned Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP) under the EU Eel regulation (1100/2007) and the comprehensive scientific assessment of eel stocks nationally, referred to in the response of 27 May, were compiled by Ireland’s statutorily independent Standing Scientific Committee on eels.
This independent committee includes scientists from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), ESB, the Loughs Agency, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Bio-Sciences Institute (AFBI) Northern Ireland and the Marine Institute.
I can advise that the overall requirement and objective of Ireland's EMP is to provide, with high probability, a long-term 40% escapement to the sea of the biomass of silver eel, relative to pristine conditions (i.e. if the stock had been completely free of man-made influences including commercial fishing).
In 2011, the status of the European Eel in Ireland was defined by the United Nations as critically endangered. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advice is that the eel stock continues to decline and urgent action is needed. ICES advice is that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pollution) should be reduced to as close to zero as possible until there is clear evidence that both recruitment and the adult stock are increasing. In 2011, glass eel recruitment fell to 5% of their 1960-1979 level in the Atlantic region and less than 1% in the North Sea area, and showed no sign of recovery.
In 2012, as required by the EU, who approved Ireland's EMP in 2009, a review of the management of eel in Ireland, including a scientific review by the independent Scientific Committee, was undertaken. This process included a robust public consultation during which many issues were raised and considered. Full details of the outputs of the public consultation are available on the IFI website.
While I fully recognise the difficulty facing eel fishermen, the review of scientific and management advice and inputs from the public consultation informed a decision to continue with the cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market for the period from 2012 to 2015. Ireland’s EMP will again be fully reviewed in 2015 from both scientific and management perspectives.
The very significant decline in the stock dictated that closure of the fishery be applied for conservation reasons under the Fisheries Acts and there is no property right attaching to public eel licences and consequently the issue of compensatory payment is not relevant.
Given that context, in the current national economic circumstances it is unlikely that funding will be available to the Government to provide for such payments.
606. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update regarding the geo-coding project; when he expects it to be operational and the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37032/14]
View answerThe design for the National Postcode System was approved by Government last April. The brand ‘Eircode’ was launched for the National Postcode System on 28 April 2014. The project is currently in implementation phase and is scheduled to roll out nationwide by the middle of 2015. Every Irish address will receive a unique Eircode.
The cost to the Exchequer of the National Postcode System over the 10 year cycle of the contract is expected to be €26m (ex VAT) with costs covering design, database upgrades, media and postcode distribution. Additional information about Eircodes is now available on the website www.eircode.ie.
607. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of different proposals that were submitted as part of the tendering process for the postcode system subsequently awarded to Eircode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37102/14]
View answerMy Department commenced the procurement process for a National Postcode System in 2011. An open and competitive procurement process was conducted in accordance with Department of Finance and EU procurement frameworks.
A pre- qualification questionnaire was issued on www.etenders.gov.ie on 17 January 2011. This invited interested parties to tender for the contract as a postcode management licence holder for a period of 10 years to design, provide, disseminate and maintain a National Postcode System. This procurement process followed the Negotiated Procedure under the relevant EU Regulations. Given the technical complexity of the project, the Department ran the procurement following a competitive dialogue procedure provided for in the Public Supply and Works Directive.
Three parties qualified following Stage 1 of the procurement process. Landmark, a UK company, withdrew from the process at the final tender stage. The Department subsequently received two final bids from consortia led by Capita and An Post. In December 2013 a ten-year contract with Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited was signed.
608. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a business plan for An Post on the future of post offices; if so, whether he will engage and discuss this plan with An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37192/14]
View answerIt is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focussed network of post offices in the community.
A whole-of-government review of the scope for providing additional public services through local post offices is currently underway under the auspices of the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. I recently updated the Committee that my Department is examining the responses received from other Departments and engaging in further discussions with relevant Departments, as necessary, with the aim of bringing a proposal on a proposed way forward to the Committee as soon as possible.
An Post is aware that this review is ongoing and engagement with the company is being undertaken when and as appropriate.
609. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will publish the NewERA report into RTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37197/14]
View answerOn foot of the Five Year Review of the Funding of Public Service Broadcasters under Section 124 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, NewEra was tasked by Government with conducting an independent assessment of the scope for further efficiencies within RTÉ.
NewEra’s Report has been received and I am currently considering its recommendations, prior to bringing the Report to Government. It is expected that a redacted version of the Report will be made public following its consideration by Government.
610. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, all of the State agencies, bodies, organisations and working groups under his Department's remit; the core duties and functions of same; the number of staff at same; the budget of each for 2013 and proposed budget for 2014; the date of establishment of the agencies or organisations; and the legislation, primary or otherwise, from which they derive their powers. [37201/14]
View answerMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas and oversight of State regulation and provision of key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting. In this context, the number of Commercial State Bodies and Non-Commercial State Bodies, including Regulators, currently under the aegis of my Department is 18. Of these 18 Bodies, The Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) will be merged with the Property Registration Authority and the Valuation Office which will, over the next number of months, see it transfer to the Department of Justice and Equality, who are leading on the transfer process. The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) will transition to Dublin City Council (DCC) pending the enactment of legislation. Arrangements for the transitioning of DHDA to DCC are underway with a view to completing the transition as quickly as possible.
The budgets of State Agencies and Bodies under the aegis of this Department are comprised of income from services provided, direct Exchequer provision in a number of instances (as set out in the annual Estimates volume), and fees or other revenue generated by individual bodies. Full details in each case are set out in the annual reports and accounts published by the relevant body, which are generally available online and in the Oireachtas library.
I have set out in the following table the list of Bodies under the aegis of my Department, together with the core duties and functions of each Body, the date of establishment of each Body and the legislation governing each Body. In relation to the number of staff in each Body, I will ask the agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the requested information directly to the Deputy.
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Agency |
1. Date of Establishment 2. Core duties and functions 3. Legislation governing |
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An Post |
(1) 1984 (2) An Post is Ireland's national postal service provider. It is a major commercial organisation providing a wide range of services which encompass postal, communication, retail and money transmission services. It is one of Ireland's largest companies directly employing over 9,600 people through its national network of retail, processing and delivery points. (3) The Postal and Telecommunications Act, 1983 and Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act, 2011 |
|
Ervia |
(1) 1976 (2) Bord Gáis Éireann was established under the Gas Act, 1976 to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. BGÉ’s main strategic objective in recent years has been to develop as an all-island energy company providing transportation and supply services for natural gas and generation and supply service for electricity. (3) The Gas Acts 1976 to 2002 |
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Bord na Móna |
(1) 1946 (2) Bord na Móna is the supplier of products and services based principally on peat. The Company is also providing products and services in the environmental, renewable energy, electricity generation and waste management business sectors. (3) Turf Development Act, 1998 |
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Eirgrid |
(1) 1 July 2006 (2) EirGrid plc was established to act as the independent Transmission System Operator (TSO), in line with the requirements of the EU Electricity Directive and became operational as the TSO on 1 July 2006. (3) Regulation 50 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations, 2000, S.I. 445 of 2000 |
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ESB |
(1) 1927 (2) The Electricity Supply Board was set up in accordance with the Electricity Supply Board Acts 1927 – 2001. It was set up as a corporate body to control and develop Ireland's electricity network. (3) The Electricity Supply Board Act of 1927 The suite of legislative measures governing ESB is available at:http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2001/en.act.2001.0009.pdf |
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RTE |
(1) 1960 (2) RTÉ is the national public service broadcaster and is required to provide a comprehensive range of programmes on its radio and television services. (3) Broadcasting Act 2009 |
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TG4 |
(1) 2007 (2) TG4 is an Irish Language television station based at Baile na hAbhann, Co. Galway. TG4 was established as an independent statutory body in 2007 under the Broadcasting Act, 2001. (3) Broadcasting Act 2009 |
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BAI |
(1) 01/10/2009 (2) The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland was established on 1st October 2009 to regulate content across all broadcasting, assuming the roles previously held by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC). (3) Broadcasting Act 2009 |
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Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) |
(1) 21/07/2003 (2) The Digital Hub Development Agency was established under the Digital Hub Development Act 2003 to oversee the development of the Digital Hub, Ireland's flagship in the digital media sector. (3) Digital Hub Development Agency Act, 2003 |
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) |
(1) 01/07/2010 (2) Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) was established under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. IFI is the agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. (3) Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (S.I. No. 10 of 2010) |
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National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) |
(1) Established in 1995 as a private limited company and on 01/08/2007 as a stand-alone state body under the NORA Act 2007. (2) The National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 established NORA as a non-commercial state body under the aegis of the Department. Its function is to maintain strategic stocks of oil in line with the State’s oil stockholding obligations to the EU and the International Energy Agency (IEA). (3) http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2007/en/act/pub/0007/index.html |
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Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) |
(1) 04/03/2002 (2) Ordnance Survey Ireland is the national mapping agency of the State and was established as a statutory body on 4 March 2002. Its functions include the creation and maintenance of the definitive national mapping and related geographic records of the State. (3) Ordnance Survey Act, 2001 and Section 25 of the Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2007 which is available athttp://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2007/en/act/pub/0037/sec0025.html |
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Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) |
(1) 01/10/2002 (2) Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI), formerly SEI, was established in 2002 to promote and assist the development of sustainable energy. (3) Sustainable Energy Act, 2002 |
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Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency) |
(1) 02/12/1999 (2) Its responsibilities include (a) the promotion and development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery and aquaculture matters (b) the management, conservation, protection, improvement and development of inland fisheries; (c) the development and licensing of aquaculture; and (d) the development of marine tourism. (3) British Irish Agreement No. 1 of 1999 |
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Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
(1) 1979 (2) Following the sale of its business and commercial assets (Whitegate Refinery and Bantry storage terminal) in July 2001, the INPC has no operational capacity/ employees. Its current activities are limited to its rights and obligations under the Sale and Purchase Agreement attaching to the 2001 transaction |
|
Mining Board |
(1) Established under S33.1 of the Minerals Development Act 1940 enacted on 14th November 1940. (2) An independent quasi-judicial board set up under the Minerals Development Act 1940. Its main function is to determine various types of compensation provided for under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999, mainly to private mineral owners. It was also charged with deciding what minerals are exempted from the State’s exclusive right to work minerals under the Minerals Development Act 1979. |
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Commission for Energy Regulation |
(1) 14/07/1999 (2) The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is Ireland’s independent energy regulator of the natural gas and electricity markets in Ireland, with a range of economic, customer protection and safety regulatory functions. CER is also the economic regulator of Ireland’s public water system. (3) Electricity Regulation Act 1999 No. 23 of 1999 |
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Commission for Communications Regulation |
(1) 01/12/2002 (2) ComReg is charged with the regulation of the communications market in Ireland. Its remit covers all kinds of transmission networks from the traditional telephone wire service through to operators providing TV services and from mobile phone networks to the postal service. (3) Communications Regulations Act 2002 No. 20 of 2002 |
611. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1671 of 17 September 2014, the reason for the very low number of drivers surrendering their driving licences in circumstances where they have been disqualified from driving after having received the maximum number of penalty points. [36480/14]
View answerIn circumstances where a person reaches the penalty point threshold of 12 points, or 7 points or more for first time learner permit holders from 1 August 2014, a notification issues to the person from the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) of my Department informing them that they must surrender their driving licence to the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS). In addition to this notification, a notice is issued to the licensing authority and An Garda Síochána informing them of each individual penalty point disqualification to ensure that they are aware of the disqualification as well as the driver.
It is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, as the licensing authority to ensure that those drivers who have been disqualified surrender their licence to the NDLS. I will however ensure that this matter be considered in the context of the Penalty Points working group with a view to ensuring that the most effective arrangements are put in place to ensure that all licences are surrendered.
I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the RSA and have asked it to respond to the Deputy directly. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
612. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1671 of 17 September 2014, in respect of the reference to the fact that the non-surrender figures may be overstated because driving licences may have been surrendered to motor tax offices, if he will indicate where statistics might be available on the number of driving licences which were surrendered to motor tax offices in each year; and if there is a system of liaison in place between the national vehicle driver file and the motor tax office network to keep track of all driving licences surrendered. [36481/14]
View answerIn accordance with Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002 my Department issues notification to licence holders in relation to the endorsement of penalty points and if the number of points equals or exceeds 12 the notice specifies the period of disqualification from driving and directs the licence holder to submit his/her licence to the licensing authority that granted the licence.
At the same time, by administrative process, my Department issues a notice concerning the disqualification to An Garda Síochána and the relevant licensing authority. It is a matter for the licensing authority to pursue the licence holder with regard to the surrender of the licence in similar fashion to the arrangements where surrender is required in respect of other non-penalty points related disqualifications.
The NVDF system facilitates entry of licence surrender details directly by licensing authorities. My Department is in communication with motor tax offices with a view to obtaining details of any surrendered licences which may not have been recorded on the NVDF system and arrangements will be made to supply the Deputy with the information provided. It will be appreciated that motor tax offices are no longer licensing authorities for driving licences and many of the disqualifications are now historic. The RSA is now the single licensing authority for driving licences for the country since October 2013 and this will facilitate more precise monitoring with regard to surrendered licences.
613. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1671 of 17 September 2014, in instances where the national vehicle driver file does not contain a record of licences surrendered by drivers to motor tax offices, the way these drivers are informed when their driving licences are due to be returned to them. [36482/14]
View answerIn all instances where driving licences are surrendered to a licensing authority, at the end of the period of disqualification matters regarding the return of the driving licence are appropriate to the relevant licensing authority. In accordance with Section 3(2) of the Road Traffic Act 2002 my Department issues a notice to the relevant drivers on the ending of the period of disqualification and of the removal of the penalty points from the records on the NVDF system.
614. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the means of facilitating a person who lost their taxi licence in the past number of years due to the licence lapsing in very difficult personal circumstances; and if it is possible for the National Transport Authority to grant a renewal of a taxi licence on a discretionary basis in very exceptional and limited circumstances. [36551/14]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 including vehicle licensing.
Section 13 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides for appeal procedures to the District Court of licensing decisions made by the NTA.
615. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sports capital grant for an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36569/14]
View answerThe organisation referred to by the Deputy was party to a joint application for a grant under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme.
When the 2014 Programme was advertised my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which clearly set out the Department’s minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding. Unfortunately this application was found to be invalid.
I do not consider it appropriate to publish details of why individual applications were deemed invalid. However, Minister Donohoe recently received correspondence from the club referred to by the Deputy seeking detailed information on why the application was deemed invalid. Accordingly, a repIy will issue to the club shortly explaining clearly why their application was invalid.
616. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding sports grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36731/14]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. Allocations under the 2014 round of the SCP were announced in July 2014. No decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the Programme. The SCP does not provide grants for the purchase of land or buildings. However, it may be possible for the club to raise funds via the ‘Tax Relief for Donations to Certain Sports Bodies’ scheme (section 847A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997). This is a Revenue operated scheme which offers tax benefits to individuals or companies who make donations to sports clubs. Further details on this scheme and how it operates can be found on the Revenue Commissioners website.
617. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the overall allocation for sports grants for 2014; if he will provide a breakdown of the amount received in each county; and the amount received in each administrative area of Dublin, including Dublin 3, 5, 13 and 17. [36745/14]
View answer618. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the grants awarded to sports clubs and local community groups by his Department for 2014 in the new constituency of Dublin Bay North, including a breakdown of the amount received by each recipient organisation. [36746/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 617 and 618 together.
Details of all allocations under the Sports Capital Programme in 2014 are available on my Department’s website www.dttas.ie. The Department does not compile such information on the basis of Dáil constituency or postcode.
619. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has any information regarding the filling in of Dublin Port dry dock; his views on this matter. [36779/14]
View answerDublin Port Company published a Masterplan in 2012 to guide the development of Dublin Port in the period to 2040. The Masterplan is available on its website www.Dublinport.ie.
Dublin Port has committed in its Masterplan to utilise the existing footprint of the port to the greatest extent possible. The company currently has an application with An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 for the redevelopment of Alexander Basin encompassing infill of the dry dock area.
I do not consider it appropriate to comment on the matter while that independent statutory planning process continues.
620. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Leap cards cannot be used in a touch-on, touch-off manner on Dublin Bus; his plans to introduce this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36825/14]
View answerResponsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the Leap Card system is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. He should please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
621. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of fulfilling the commitment to part-fund the A5 improvement project in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36826/14]
View answerSince the judicial review decision last year quashing consent for the construction of two sections of the A5 the Department for Regional Development has been reviewing and updating the Environmental Statement for the scheme, the draft Vesting Order and the draft Direction Order. That Department has put three of the proposed four environmental impact reports out to public consultation and public consultation on the fourth report is due shortly with consultation on the draft Orders planned for November. I understand that consideration will also be given to whether to hold a new Public Inquiry in Spring/Summer 2015.
The Irish Government’s £22 million contribution to the A5 project to date was based on an agreed expenditure profile linked to specific project milestones. Given the delays to the project arising from the outcome of the judicial review proceedings, a revised project programme needs to be prepared for consideration by both the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
